CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia AFL-CIO is supporting House Speaker Rick Thompson in his bid for governor.

The union announced its endorsement of the Wayne County Democrat on Saturday. Thompson also has been endorsed by the West Virginia Education Association and the West Virginia Federation of Teachers.

The state AFL-CIO's political education committee interviewed Democratic candidates, who also filled out questionnaires. The endorsement required a two-thirds majority of votes among members of the committee.

West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue said the choice was difficult because the union felt there are several strong candidates in the race.

Among other issues, the union asked candidates about where they stand on collective bargaining, mine safety, education, Marcellus Shale development, privatization of state agencies, prevailing wage and whether they support allowing public employees to run for office, Perdue said.

WV AFL CIO has been having all these support Wisconsin rallies and I'm for that, but I think they are hypocrites since they haven't done squat to help WV employees get collective bargaining.

Plus they endorsed Bob Wise over Underwood for governor even though Underwood gave state employees a number of substantial raises and Wise didn't promise them or deliver anything to them.

As long as unions continue to support politicans just because they are democrats but who hate public employees like Manchin and Wise for instance I'm going to take their endorsement with a grain of salt.

When I see them refuse to support somebody because of their records or rally to suppor WV Public Employees I'll take them a LOT more seriously.

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